ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Pines Dinner Theatre is on the move.
Due to its lease not being renewed for 2024, the popular entertainment-dining establishment will relocate after 14 years at Allentown Fairgrounds.
Pines Artistic Director Oliver Blatt said the new location will be revealed publicly “within the next 10 or 11 days" with a planned opening on June 1.
“The ink is still not dry on the contract,” Blatt said Wednesday morning. “We’re not disclosing where we’re going right now. But I’ve been telling people that they won’t need a plane to get to our new location.”
"We're excited about this move.”Oliver Blatt, artistic director, Pines Dinner Theatre
Blatt said he was informed in July the Pines lease at 448 N. 17th St. would not be renewed.
The property is owned by C-O M Germano, according to the Lehigh County Assessment Records website.
“It was surprising, for sure,” Blatt said of the lease not being renewed. “That being said, we had a great season this year.
"We're excited about this move.”
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In the meantime, Pines Dinner Theatre has partnered with Delta by Marriott in Fogelsville to host the theatre's murder mystery, according to the theatre's online announcement.
Blatt said the new venue is slightly bigger than its current location and eliminates some challenges.
“We have posts in the middle of the dining room and the stage is too small,” he said. “Nothing crazy. But definitely, our former location was unique.”
The theater’s website lists five stage productions from Jan. 27 through Dec. 29.